TIMMONSVILLE --
A 22-year-old local woman has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in connection with the stabbing death of a Darlington County man last July, according to a press release issued Monday by the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office.
Ashley Wheeler, 22, is accused of fatally stabbing 20-year-old Gary Durant during an argument at her home at 1911 Amere Drive in Darlington County’s Oats Community, near Timmonsville. In a previous Darlington County Sheriff’s office press release, Locklair said DuRant forced his way into Wheeler’s home.
“The two had an estranged relationship,” Darlington County Sheriff’s Capt. Andy Locklair said in the release. “After an argument between the two, Wheeler is reported to have stabbed Durant once in the body.”
Durant was taken to an area hospital by private vehicle. He later died at the hospital as a result of his injuries.
Warrants were issued last week for Wheeler. She turned herself in to law enforcement officers and was booked at the Darlington County Detention Center. Wheeler later was released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond.
“This is a very complicated case. We will let the justice system decide the guilt or innocence of this defendant” Darlington County Sheriff J. Wayne Byrd said.
For someone to be found guilty of voluntary manslaughter the government must prove that the person killed another person; the person acted in the heat of passion; and heat of passion was caused by adequate provocation. Voluntary manslaughter in South Carolina carries a minimum penalty of two years and a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.
Involuntary manslaughter is defined as either the unintentional killing of another without malice, but while engaged in an unlawful activity not naturally tending to cause death or great bodily harm; or the unintentional killing of another without malice, while engaged in lawful activity with reckless disregard for the safety of others. The maximum penalty for involuntary manslaughter is five years.
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